NORTH PORT — As North Port City Commissioner Linda Yates was named the new mayor Wednesday, her husband Mark shot out of his chair, said “I love you baby,” and gave her his own standing ovation. Several others stood up and cheered her.

Yates became the new mayor — a title previously known as “chair” of the City Commission — minutes after newly elected board members Rhonda DiFranco and Cheryl Cook voted for her. Commissioner Tom Jones, who was re-elected in the August primary and also sworn in Wednesday with DiFranco and Cook, was also nominated. Jones spent five minutes explaining his accomplishments as a commissioner, including serving as the vice president of the Manasota League of Cities and writing language for the Florida League of Cities, which helped keep $2 million in the city’s coffers.